Day of the Dead Market Trip and Altar Building in Yatareni
Experience Oaxaca’s Day of the Dead traditions in the most authentic way possible—family style.
This one-of-a-kind cultural experience invites you into the heart of a local home in the village of Yatareni, just 15 minutes from Oaxaca City. Hosted by Claudia and her family, you’ll participate in the intimate and meaningful preparation of a traditional Día de los Muertos altar (ofrenda), surrounded by food, flowers, and generations of storytelling.
You’ll begin your day with a warm Oaxacan welcome, featuring hot chocolate and a hearty breakfast made from fresh, locally-sourced ingredients. From there, join Claudia and her family on a trip to a nearby local market, where you’ll handpick the symbolic items that will be used to create the altar—candles, flowers, sugar skulls, fruit, bread, and more.
Once you return to the family’s home, you’ll take part in building the ofrenda while learning about the history, symbolism, and regional differences in Day of the Dead altars. This is an immersive and emotional experience that goes far beyond what you’ll find in the city’s public displays. You’ll witness firsthand how families in Oaxaca honor their ancestors with love, laughter, and food.
Weather permitting, we may visit a nearby flower field to admire or photograph the marigolds that are traditionally used for altars in this region.
Your experience will include:
- Round-trip transportation from/to Tlayudona (210C on M. Bravo Street, inside the Plaza San Cristobal)
- Traditional Oaxacan breakfast
- Guided market visit with Claudia and her family
- Market purchases for the altar
- A delicious homemade lunch
- Opportunity to build a Day of the Dead altar, side-by-side with a local family
- Complimentary mezcal
- Spanish/English translation (if/when necessary)
Does not include:
- Optional personal purchases at the market
- Gratuities
*Maximum: 8 people
*Minimum amount of people required: 4 people
Discounted rate for the three or more people who sign up together!